11/21/24
March 08, 2006
Canadiens and Avalanche Swap Goalies: The Colorado Avalanche have traded away goaltender David Aebischer (who was remarkable in the Olympics) for injured former-Vezina trophy winner, Jose Theodore.
Well, the Avs had Aebischer and Budaj (Slovakia) this year. I think Theo needed a new start but is an Aebischer and Huet tandem good going forward?
posted by gspm at 09:49 PM on March 08, 2006
Also, this has to be the first time an NHL team has had an all-Euro goaltending duo! Kiprusoff + Turek I don't know about this deal at all. In my opinion, Colorado just got worse. Theodore has not proven himself in playoff play at all. He hasn't carried a team beyond the first round. He's not likely to carry Colorado any further. Granted, you can say the same about Aebischer, but at least there's a goalie that can play going down the stretch (unlike injured Theodore) and a goalie that's familiar with the team and the players. He's been great for Colorado lately. He was great at the Olympics. I'd rather have him on my team than Mr. Propecia.
posted by mkn at 09:50 PM on March 08, 2006
Also, this has to be the first time an NHL team has had an all-Euro goaltending duo! Sharks - Nabokov and Toskala
posted by v3rity at 10:05 PM on March 08, 2006
Sharks - Nabokov and Toskala Hell, for a time that season they also had Kiprusoff. So that's three. Edmonton Oilers: Jussi Markkanen + Tommy Salo And for a while, the Thrashers had: Pasi Nurminen and Byron Dafoe (ok, a bit of a stretch, but Dafoe was born in the UK).
posted by mkn at 12:31 AM on March 09, 2006
Without a long-winded discussion, I'll just go ahead and say that Colorado just made a costly mistake, and Edmonton's GM is a genius.
posted by wingnut4life at 06:48 AM on March 09, 2006
He hasn't carried a team beyond the first round. 02 Playoffs he went to the conf. finals I believe.
posted by HATER 187 at 10:22 AM on March 09, 2006
Yes - I agree. I don't like this deal right now. But, there is also no doubt that Theodore can be a better goalie than Aebischer can - but he has to regain his form. Some say that Theo needed to get out of Montreal for a whole slew of off-ice reasons as well. While it looks bad now, Lacroix could once again come away looking like a genius a year from now. I honestly see this as a move not for this year but for next - Colorado has some cap room coming up, some good young talent in premium positions and not a great shot at beating the Detroits and Calgarys of the West this season.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:23 AM on March 09, 2006
The only thing that I'll agree with you on, Weedy, is that Theodore needed to get out of Montreal. I just think that the Avs blew what chance they had at a run for the Cup this year. How can you go with Theodore as your number one? He's had one of his worst seasons ever, and he won't even be available until late March/early April. I think that if you want Jose to regain his form, the Avs should go with Budaj as their number one and let Theodore fight for that spot. Don't just give it to him, have him earn it.
posted by wingnut4life at 10:52 AM on March 09, 2006
I don't think they traded their number one goalie for a $4 million 1st string goalie to have him 'earn it' from Budaj. It's clear that they expect Theodore to be the number one. I'm just saying that Theodore was, not too long ago (though it may seem so) one of the best goalies on the planet. He has a better chance of reaching that plateau than Aebischer does. Given that he's not even going to be ready until the playoffs I think it makes it clear that Colorado is hoping to have some magic happen that will lead them into Cup contention - but primarily makes this deal to upgrade the goalie position long-term. It's just a really risky upgrade in light of the poor season Theo has had. And I think that if you're being honest - Colorado's chance at a Cup run this year is going to be predicated on getting some magic from the hockey gods, getting hot at the right time and having a post-season like the Flames did last time out. They are weak in their own end and have mediocre depth. I put them in the same category as Los Angeles. Sure they've got a shot - but it ain't a great one and I don't think Aebischer was going to be the goalie to carry them any way. Apparently, niether did Lacroix. If Theodore can rediscover some of his former glory than this deal really starts looking good next year. Or he carries them to the Cup on his back this year. Either way, it's a potential upgrade in net - not a legit one.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:20 AM on March 09, 2006
I don't think they traded their number one goalie for a $4 million 1st string goalie to have him 'earn it' from Budaj. It's clear that they expect Theodore to be the number one. I understand that, I was just speculating. Maybe that's what Theodore needs, besides a perfomance enhancing masking agent. I just think that Theodore is looking more like a flash-in-the-pan, and Aebischer (my opinion) is coming into his own as a goaltender.
posted by wingnut4life at 11:38 AM on March 09, 2006
02 Playoffs he went to the conf. finals I believe. Incorrect. They beat Boston in the first round, lost to Carolina in the second round. You are confusing the Habs with the Leafs!
posted by mkn at 11:52 AM on March 09, 2006
But they got past the first round. We both stand corrected.
posted by HATER 187 at 12:44 PM on March 09, 2006
And beating Boston is basically Theodore's only claim to fame. He topped off a great season by stealing this series all by himself. He then proceeded to implode against the Hurricanes, and has never been quite the same since. I agree there's more upside for the Avs in this trade, but there's a lot of risk.
posted by qbert72 at 12:47 PM on March 09, 2006
You are confusing the Habs with the Leafs! Is that better or worse than getting my chocolate in your peanut butter?
posted by billsaysthis at 03:23 PM on March 09, 2006
posted by qbert72 at 08:04 PM on March 10, 2006
Deja vu all over again? Somehow, I don't think this one will work out as well for the Avs as the last time the Habs shipped a goalie to Colorado. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out in Quebec, since Theodore was the team's Quebecois superstar. Also, this has to be the first time an NHL team has had an all-Euro goaltending duo!